FSU SSDP, NORML continue to advocate, educate on drug reform and cannabis law

Nov. 7, 2012

Written by

Kayla Becker

News Editor

Don’t invest in the stock of Goldfish and Cheetos just yet. At least that’s what Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper is suggesting to citizens in his state.

The caution came after Colorado and Washington became the first and second states in the U.S. to legalize recreational use of marijuana for adults over the age of 21 on Tuesday, Nov. 6, while Massachusetts became the 18th state in the U.S. to legalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

The catch: because cannabis is still illegal by federal standards, the DEA and other agencies may continue to attempt to arrest people selling cannabis.

“The voters have spoken and we have to respect their will,” Gov. Hickenlooper claimed to news outlets. “This will be a complicated process, but we intend to follow through. That said, federal law still says marijuana is an illegal drug, so don’t break out the Cheetos or Goldfish too quickly.”

It could take up to a year before the legalization takes full effect.

The news, however, wasn’t just a victory for supporters of the Washington’s Initiative-502 and Colorado’s Amendment 64 —FSU students in drug reform student organizations celebrated a victory as well.

Two FSU branches of national drug reform organizations—FSU Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) and FSU National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)—saw the announcement as the first step to ending marijuana prohibition in the United States.

Over the past few months, SSDP and NORML chapters throughout the country have been participating in collaborative efforts to get the legislation passed.

“This is a victory,” said President of FSU SSDP Jon Bowes. “Without a doubt this is a victory. I cared more about the results of this vote than I did about the presidential election. Neither Obama nor Romney made any mention of the drug war and the problems it causes."

Executive board member of SSDP Amanda Muller said the reform in Colorado and Washington has the potential to be a template for marijuana reform in other states—even Florida.

“While many people tend to write-off Florida as ‘too conservative,’ our state has enormous potential in the realm of drug policy reform, and this is evident in its more recent progressive policies,” Muller said.

As recently as October 2012, a drug reform law called the 911 Good Samaritan Act took effect in Florida. The law encourages individuals to call for help in overdose situations where medical assistance is needed due to drug use or abuse took effect. In the event of a drug-related overdose, the person who seeks help and the person who receives medical attention will not be subjected to punitive damages for the possession of controlled substances, Muller said. FSU SSDP actively lobbied this to the Florida legislature.

Muller said Florida isn’t stopping there.

The Florida Medical Association recently submitted a resolution, which seeks to legalize syringe exchange programs for injection drug users. This legislation aims to amend Chapter 893 of the Florida Statutes, which prohibits the transfer or possession of a clean needle if the intent is to use it for injecting illegal drugs.

In the meantime, SSDP is also continuing to do what Muller said has always been their main priority—educating the public.

"Here at FSU we aim to get our student body and Tallahassee residents as informed, educated, and involved as possible.”

From Nov. 16 to 18, the 2012 Florida/Southeast Regional SSDP Conference will be held in Tampa, Fla. SSDP encourages students to get involved.

“We cannot wait to collaborate with fellow advocates throughout the state, and strongly urge anyone who is interested in the future of drug policy reform in Florida to attend,” Muller said.

Though FSU SSDP is not focused solely on cannabis reform, the news of Colorado and Washington’s amendments have inspired them to continue to advocate for cannabis legislation reform both in the state as well as nationally.

“It is evident that the days of marijuana prohibition are slowly but surely coming to an end,” Muller said. “We could not be more thrilled, more honored, to assume our roles as educators and advocates during these crucial moments in history.”